Our Little Jewish Cousin

"You would think so, if you once got inside. There is one hall that is thirty-eight yards long. There are several passages leading into it. Some are so low that one has to crawl through them on his hands and knees. Others spread out into large chambers. Many of these chambers are very beautiful. The water has trickled down the walls and worn the soft limestone into the loveliest patterns."

"How could you see, Levi? wasn't it dark inside the cave?" asked Solomon.

"Of course it was, but every one in the party carried a lighted torch or candle. The torches gave light enough to show the beautiful ornaments."

"There is our own cave ahead of us," said Rebecca. "Of course I mean it is the one we are to visit," she added, with a laugh.

All the children could see was a great mass of rocks on the side of a hill. As they drew nearer, they spied a small hole near the ground.

"Must we crawl through that hole?" asked Esther, with a shiver.

"It is larger than you imagine," replied Levi. "Besides, you only have to crawl a few feet. After that the way opens up quite suddenly. I will go first with my torch. Then you can all follow."

"I'm afraid," Miriam whispered to Esther. She did not wish Solomon to hear her. She feared he would make fun of her.

"Hold on to my hand and have courage. I will go ahead of you," was the answer.

One by one, they passed through the opening.

"Isn't this fun!" cried Solomon as they all stood in the chamber worn out of the rocks.

"It makes me feel queer to think of being underground," said Esther.

"Hark! What's that noise?" said Miriam, in a frightened voice.

"It's only a family of bats we have taken by surprise. They are not used to callers," said Levi.

The bats were more frightened than Miriam. They flew about in a blind way. Several times they almost brushed against the faces of Rebecca and Levi, the tallest ones in the party.

"Ugh! I don't like bats," said Miriam. "I am going outside."

"Just wait a minute until I see if there are any pretty decorations on the walls. Look! Here is just what I was searching for."

Levi held his torch up near the roof.

"Isn't it beautiful? How can Nature work in such a regular pattern?" said Rebecca, half to herself.

"It is because she is the handmaiden of the Lord," replied Levi, reverently.

After they had left the cave and were once more out in the bright sunshine, the children were allowed to choose a place for the picnic dinner. They had brought water for bathing the hands and face as well as for drinking. Levi had told them before they started that there was no well or spring near the place.

After they had washed and prayed, they were all ready to enjoy the nice luncheon Rebecca had prepared.

"Tell us stories about King David, won't you, please Levi?" asked Solomon. "When you spoke of the cave of Adullam this morning you said David hid there with a great many of his followers. I suppose that made me think of him now."

"I should like nothing better," said Levi, stretching himself out on the ground. "But would you all like to hear about the 'Sweet Singer of Israel'?"

"Indeed we would," sounded a chorus of voices.

CHAPTER VIII

THE SWEET SINGER OF ISRAEL

"Very well, then. Let us go back to the days of long ago, long, even, before the destruction of our beloved city. Let us seek David on the hillsides, tending his flocks with loving care.

"One day a visitor came to the house of Jesse, David's father. This visitor was no other than the prophet Samuel. He had received a command from the Lord telling him to take a vial of oil and seek the house of Jesse.

"'There,' said the Lord, 'you will find the new king who is to succeed Saul.'

"Samuel hastened to obey. When he reached Jesse's house, he asked to see his sons. One by one passed before him till the eighth son, David, appeared. Then the voice of the Lord again spoke to Samuel. It said:

"'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.'

"As soon as the prophet had anointed David with the oil, the young man was filled with the spirit and power of God. At the same time, they left King Saul, who did many foolish and bad deeds after this.

"But what of David? Did he go out into the world and declare himself the future king of Israel? Not so. He continued to live his peaceful, quiet life as a shepherd. He learned to sing, and play upon the harp. He now showed himself indeed the 'Sweet Singer of Israel.'

"He began to show power in other ways, too. Many times the fierce lions and savage bears came creeping upon his flocks. Many times David met and overpowered them with the strength given to him by the Lord."

"It seems as though I can see him guarding his flocks," said Solomon, as Levi stopped talking to rest for a moment. "His beautiful black eyes are looking out into the night and watching for danger. He looks at his sleeping sheep to see if all are safe. Then he hears the sound of foes drawing near and springs to meet them."

"I like best to think of him with a tiny lamb in his arms," said Esther. "He holds it lovingly against his breast, as though he would say, 'I will save you from all harm, poor, helpless creature.'"

Levi now went on with his story.

"While David was still tending his flocks, King Saul was waging war upon the Philistines, the bitter enemies of our people. They became more and more daring, until at last they gathered on the side of a mountain right here in Israel.

"Three of David's brothers were fighting in Saul's army and went out to meet the Philistines. David often went to the camp to visit his brothers. He happened to be there once when a Philistine giant marched forth and dared any Israelite to fight with him.

"There was no one who felt able to say, 'I am not afraid; I accept your challenge.'

"'No one,' did I say? At first, this was true, for every one in Saul's army kept silent. But when David saw this, he felt the spirit of the Lord stir within him. He arose, saying, 'I will meet you.'

"He was now led before Saul, and there, in the presence of the king, he said he had faith that God would save him from harm, even from the hand of the giant. At first, Saul thought:

"'It is of no use for this young shepherd to go out alone to meet the giant. He will only lose his life.'

"But when he heard what David said, he changed his mind. He got out a strong suit of armour, and even helped him to put it on. David was not used to such things. The armour weighed him down so that he staggered and almost fell. He said:

"'It would be better for me to carry only such weapons as I know. Let me take my shepherd's staff and the sling I have used so often in meeting the wild beasts.'

"He was allowed to do as he chose. He went forth to meet the giant with nothing to help him save his staff and sling.

"And what did the giant, Goliath, say when he saw the young shepherd draw near? He spoke in scornful words. But he suddenly became silent as David sent a stone from his sling that passed through his forehead and entered his brain. As soon as David saw the success of his shot, he rushed to the giant's side, seized his sword, and cut off his head.

"The watching Philistines were filled with fear. They began to flee. But Saul's army followed and overtook them and killed great numbers.

"All Israel now began to praise David. Saul, too, was filled with delight. He declared he was willing David should marry his elder daughter after a while.